NFHS Jewelry Rant

[bkbjones]

So, obviously, my anal-ness over jewelry is misplaced. Tell it to my three grandkids who don't have a paternal grandfather because he died when their dad was less than a year old. His dad was garroted at second base by his own necklace.

Tell it to the girl six years ago who was doing her job on a steal play at second base. Baserunner came sliding in, helmet went askew, baserunner's earring left a scar like barbed wire just above the left eye of the second baseman. Less than an inch lower it wouldn't have been a scar just above her left eyebrow, it would have been her eye. The scar is still bad enough. It looks like she has a jack (the child's toy, not the tire thing) embedded in her forehead.

I can tell you more ... and I will if it doesn't sink in.

What other rules do you people ignore? Does the whole ball have to be over the plate for it to be a strike? Do your half innings only require two outs, or four outs, or do you mix it up because you don't want to enforce the three out requirement this half inning?

Yes coaches are responsible. We also know some coaches are not. In NFHS, the rules are plain and they are there for a purpose. It is YOUR responsibility to enforce them. If you are NOT going to enforce them, then step away from the game. NFHS has a different purpose than ASA, NSA, USSSA, ISA, Dixie, Babe Ruth, Little League, PONY, 5 Star or anything else. (And in the other organizations neither you nor the coaches are acting in loco parentis, which is why you have to rule it to be a danger. When I do ASA, there is NOTHING around the neck of any player unless it is religious or medical.) It's is YOUR JOB to do YOUR JOB according to the rules, manuals and directives of NFHS. That includes the jewelry rule.

I just hope it doesn't take a death on YOUR field to get you to enforce the rule. Will it take a maiming or a death on your field to make you decide to more diligent in your enforcement?
If for no other reason, enforce it in memory of Dana Wall and the life that could have been.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

So, obviously, my anal-ness over jewelry is misplaced. Tell it to my three grandkids who don't have a paternal grandfather because he died when their dad was less than a year old. His dad was garroted at second base by his own necklace.

Tell it to the girl six years ago who was doing her job on a steal play at second base. Baserunner came sliding in, helmet went askew, baserunner's earring left a scar like barbed wire just above the left eye of the second baseman. Less than an inch lower it wouldn't have been a scar just above her left eyebrow, it would have been her eye. The scar is still bad enough. It looks like she has a jack (the child's toy, not the tire thing) embedded in her forehead.

I can tell you more ... and I will if it doesn't sink in.

What other rules do you people ignore? Does the whole ball have to be over the plate for it to be a strike? Do your half innings only require two outs, or four outs, or do you mix it up because you don't want to enforce the three out requirement this half inning?

Yes coaches are responsible. We also know some coaches are not. In NFHS, the rules are plain and they are there for a purpose. It is YOUR responsibility to enforce them. If you are NOT going to enforce them, then step away from the game. NFHS has a different purpose than ASA, NSA, USSSA, ISA, Dixie, Babe Ruth, Little League, PONY, 5 Star or anything else. (And in the other organizations neither you nor the coaches are acting in loco parentis, which is why you have to rule it to be a danger. When I do ASA, there is NOTHING around the neck of any player unless it is religious or medical.) It's is YOUR JOB to do YOUR JOB according to the rules, manuals and directives of NFHS. That includes the jewelry rule.

I just hope it doesn't take a death on YOUR field to get you to enforce the rule. Will it take a maiming or a death on your field to make you decide to more diligent in your enforcement?
If for no other reason, enforce it in memory of Dana Wall and the life that could have been.

Nice rant, if a bit over the top. Nowhere did I say I do not enforce the rule. However, I do not have the players line up holding their bats at "present arms" (or is it "inspection arms") for an equipment and uniform inspection, either. I don't ignore jewelry, but I don't inspect for it, either. It is mentioned at the plate meeting for High School games.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Nice rant, if a bit over the top. Nowhere did I say I do not enforce the rule. However, I do not have the players line up holding their bats at "present arms" (or is it "inspection arms") for an equipment and uniform inspection, either. I don't ignore jewelry, but I don't inspect for it, either. It is mentioned at the plate meeting for High School games.

I didn't say you did or didn't. I also do not expect people to line up for inspection, neither does SRW. We're usually very happy they actually have their bats and hats out of their bags for us to have a look.

Now:

Don't you dare mistake my passion for being over the top.

When he was younger, I had the "honor" of telling my oldest stepgrandson why he didn't have two granddaddies like his friends. You do that, then come back and tell me it's a bit over the top. This guy was one of my very best friends in the world, long before his son and my stepdaughter ever joined hands. A bit over the top indeed.

[Dakota]

Sorry for their and your loss, but adults would seem to responsible for their own behavior.

[wadeintothem]

I can also really empathize with you..

And I've also seen injuries - I've seen a pitcher get her face crushed, I've seen a player in the dugout get smashed and taken off in our ambulance, a good friend and umpire had a stroke in middle of a tournament... the list goes on as I'm sure it would for each of us.

This is a dangerous sport. Period.

Things do happen and I'm sure there are regrets.. and I'm sure each each of our life experiences affect what we do...

So that is said, and I understand that..

In terms of an overall approach for ALL umpires to your cocern - it is still over the top.

For you, it may indeed be your passion.

That doesnt make it my passion, even if I can empathize with why you would feel the way you do.

Although it does kind of twist on me you would allow medical or religious necklaces - it seems to me they can kill/injure just as easily....

In any case, in NFHS ball the rule is clear so if you see it, you must take care of it.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Although it does kind of twist on me you would allow medical or religious necklaces - it seems to me they can kill/injure just as easily...

Because rules say they may be worn and they must be taped. If I were king of the world they would wear the bracelets, taped down with the info visible. Much easier to get to the information in an emergency. A taped down necklace may not be as readily seen....

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

Because rules say they may be worn and they must be taped. If I were king of the world they would wear the bracelets, taped down with the info visible. Much easier to get to the information in an emergency. A taped down necklace may not be as readily seen....

Awesome - thats about where my passion for this issue ends as well.. right where the rules end. If I see it in NFHS, it gets addressed. If I see it in ASA and its dangerous, it gets addressed.

I think we are on the same page then.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Sorry for their and your loss, but adults would seem to responsible for their own behavior.

a.
b. Adults are responsible for their own behavior
c. because of my experience, I am adamant about necklaces in youth games. adults are on their own.